The NRL has been dragged into the ongoing Zac Lomax legal saga, with Parramatta’s lawyers issuing the head office with a subpoena in relation their involvement in the matter.
Specifically, the Eels are looking to obtain documents which detail their dealings with the Storm as Melbourne plotted a move to sign the star winger.
Watch all three games of Rugby League in Las Vegas live and ad-break free during play is Fox League, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
According to Code Sports, the subpoena was issued in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, with the NRL required to provide the materials to the court by Friday.
Parties are typically given two weeks to comply.
They could include text messages and emails related to the Lomax contract saga.
It comes after court documents revealed earlier in the month detailed how Parramatta accused Melbourne of asking the NRL to “apply the blowtorch” in an attempt to end the contract impasse with Lomax.
On Monday, there is then expected to be a legal argument as to whether the documents are admissible at next week’s court hearing, which will see Storm chairman Matt Tripp testify in person instead of over video link.
Tripp is in Las Vegas and won’t be back in Australia until March 11, delaying the case until March 13, with the Eels arguing they would be at a disadvantage interviewing Tripp online rather than in person.
Given March 13 is the day of the Storm’s Round 2 clash against the Dragons, if Lomax eventually does sign with Melbourne, Round 3 would be the absolute earliest Lomax is available for selection and even that would be a stretch.
Lomax’s court date delayed until March | 00:50
Tripp has been singled out as a “centre player” of the Storm’s pursuit of Lomax according to the Eels’ legal counsel Arthur Moses QC.
“He (Tripp) is the one who of course who made the initial contact with Parramatta in respect of Lomax going across to the Storm,” Moses told Code Sports.
“He is the one who has given comfort to Mr Lomax by having the Melbourne Storm not only reach an agreement with him in respect of him playing with the Storm subject to contractual terms, but also indemnifying him in respect of the restraint that is now being said is invalid.
“Him and his lawyers not only assisted in the drafting of it, but agreed to its terms. He is a strategist behind the matter – he is not a witness.”
The Storm are desperately hoping the matter is cleared up in court soon so they can be one step closer to adding Lomax.
Craig Bellamy is dealing with an outside back crisis just days before their Round 1 clash against the Eels with Xavier Coates sidelined for two months.
The Storm also let Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre/wing Grant Anderson leave in the off-season, meaning either the uncapped Hugo Peel or rugby union convert Moses Leo (two NRL games) are fighting out for Coates’ vacant left wing spot.